Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated’s NFL senior writer, visited the Packers’ training camp last week. While Breer tends to be attuned to how teams are feeling, there are a couple of caveats: Breer came before the pads were put on, and it’s still very early. That said, Breer did share some notes that should leave fans feeling cautiously optimistic.
Amongst his notes, though, was a discussion about the Packers’ cornerback room. The Packers’ personnel department reportedly loved Nate Hobbs for a couple of years, so they were excited to be able to add him in free agency. Unfortunately, adding Hobbs doesn’t solve all of the depth concerns. Breer then pointed to Bo Melton as the biggest x-factor in the cornerback room.
Breer wrote: “Melton, one of their best special-team players, is a tough, hard-nosed guy with the long speed, reactive athleticism, start/stop ability, and change of direction to make the change. If he can emerge at the position, that’d be huge for Green Bay. If not, the Packers could pursue veteran help later in the summer.”
By all accounts, Melton has held his own thus far. Regardless, relying on Melton to seamlessly transition from wide receiver to cornerback is wishful thinking and poor roster management. Breer’s report that the Packers may bring in a veteran later in camp is notable. The veteran cornerback market isn’t robust. Brian Gutekunst isn’t known for acquiring proven veterans via trade. So where could the Packers turn? There are a few names that could be candidates.
Kendall Fuller
Fuller might be the most intriguing option for Green Bay. He has a lot of experience, but isn’t super old yet, at only 30 years old. Fuller was incredibly durable during his time in Washington, logging over 1,000 snaps in three different seasons. Last season, Fuller produced an overall PFF grade of 66.2, run defense grade of 75.1, and coverage grade of 62.4. He allowed a passer rating of 92.8 with five pass breakups, but no interceptions. While 2024 wasn’t elite, he’s only one year removed from being one of the best corners in the league.
Fuller’s biggest asset is probably his versatility, and it’s something he embraces. “I like to play a little bit everywhere,” Fuller said in a 2024 interview. “I don’t have too much of a preference. I like to do both…it’s fun when you can in a way dictate to the offense and give them different looks and different disguises and things like that.”
The Packers love versatile corners who can line up both inside and outside. They also love physical cornerbacks who are willing tacklers. Fuller would fit nicely in Jeff Hafley’s defense. He would allow Hafley to move players around and give opposing offenses a variety of looks. While Fuller probably wouldn’t contribute on special teams, he would be a quality rotational corner and one that the Packers’ personnel department should consider adding.
Stephon Gilmore
The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year is available and still performing fairly well. Gilmore is heading into his 14th NFL season, but he remains motivated to continue playing. On The Money Down Podcast, Gilmore shared, “I want to play this year, it’s just got to be the right situation. It’s got to be the right situation for me. I’m not just gonna sign anywhere. I still love the game. I still can contribute. It’s just got to be the right place.”
Gilmore has a strong track record of success. He’s won a DPOY award, is a two-time All-Pro, and a five-time Pro Bowler. Last season with Minnesota, Gilmore produced an overall PFF grade of 63.9, run defense grade of 77.6, and coverage grade of 60.4. Gilmore played 860 snaps last season; 772 on the outside and 109 in the box. He allowed a passer rating of 100.6 with eight pass breakups and one interception. Even at 34 years old, he performed well.
The downside: he turns 35 in September, he isn’t the athlete he once was, and he hasn’t played special teams since 2016. The Packers likely wouldn’t sign him unless they had multiple injuries at the position. Gilmore likely wouldn’t sign with the Packers unless he knew he was going to play. His physical and aggressive play style could be a nice fit in Jeff Hafley’s defense. However, as long as Hobbs, Nixon, and Valentine stay healthy, Gilmore probably isn’t an option the Packers are looking at.
Rasul Douglas
Could there be a reunion? On October 6, 2021, the Packers signed Douglas off of the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad and quickly became a fan favorite for recording five interceptions in just 12 games. His performance that season was elite by many metrics. The Packers rewarded him with a contract extension. Midway through the 2023 season, the Packers decided to trade Douglas to the Buffalo Bills for a third-round pick, a move that came with some criticism from the fanbase.
When first traded to Buffalo in 2023, Douglas performed well. In 2024, Douglas’ performance really dropped off. Douglas finished the 2024 season with a PFF grade of 59.2, a run defense grade of 61.0, and a coverage grade of 58.9. He finished the year with no interceptions and only three pass breakups. However, his style of play would fit well in Hafley’s defense. Douglas is a physical corner and willing tackler. He brings an intensity that the Packers are emphasizing this year.
Douglas has never been the best athlete. He overcame athletic deficiencies by playing physically and having a high football IQ. Unfortunately, those positive traits can’t cover up everything. The almost 31-year-old corner might just be too slow and stiff now. While the fanbase might welcome Douglas back with open arms, it’s unlikely the personnel department would be interested in bringing back a corner who clearly slowed down last season.
C.J. Henderson
Henderson is an interesting option for the Packers. By all accounts, he’s been a “bust” as an NFL player. Henderson was the ninth overall pick in the 2020 draft but has never found his footing in the NFL. He suffered a season-ending injury as a rookie and was traded in his second season. Then he spent the bulk of his career with the Carolina Panthers, a team that had a slew of organizational issues from top to bottom. Henderson wasn’t exactly put in the best situation to succeed.
Why would the Packers be interested? Henderson is still only 26 years old. He also possesses good size and is very athletic. Coming out of the University of Florida, he showed the ability to be a versatile defensive back. He posted a RAS score of 9.97 back in 2020. He has also contributed on special teams in the past. The Packers have shown the ability to find diamonds in the rough. They’ve resurrected the careers of other cast-offs, like De’Vondre Campbell, Rasul Douglas, and Keisean Nixon. Henderson could also fit that mold.
If the Packers were to sign Henderson, he would be inexpensive, and there wouldn’t be any guarantee that he would make the team. Henderson would be on the veteran minimum with little to no guaranteed money. The expectation would be to come in and compete with guys like Kamal Hadden and Kalen King for the fourth or fifth cornerback spot. Henderson wouldn’t be the best solution at cornerback for the Packers, but he might be worth taking a flyer on.
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